MN congressional delegation splits over Syria

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Sep 4, 2013 at 3:16 pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's congressional delegation is split over President Barack Obama's proposed military strike against Syria.

The state's two senators and eight representatives have varying views on the president's desire to retaliate against the Middle Eastern nation for government's alleged use of chemical weapons against a rebel faction. And the split is not falling along party lines.

Two Democrats, Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison, say they're likely to support the resolution along with Republican Rep. John Kline. But two Republican representatives, Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen, are joining Democratic colleagues Rick Nolan and Collin Peterson in opposition.

Three other Democrats — Sen. Amy Klobuchar and representatives Betty McCollum and Tim Walz — are still on the fence. Congressional votes could come as early as next week.